I started reading this book with no base knowledge about football at all when I started dating a Redskins fan. It was a fantastic introduction to the sport, to fandom, and to Redskins fandom specifically (Theismann *is* a little biased). It's well-organized, giving great overviews initially and gong into more depth further along. One caveat (of one big omission): there is no discussion of what a down is. At all. The book is best accompanied by a friend who already knows football and is willing to fill in the gaps. For the complete idiot, it provides not only a great look at the basics, but a good opportunity to impress friends who are fans with knowledge of some of the nuances of the game.

This book has helped me go from first to worst in my fantasy league. Growing up in W. Virginia, we did not much about this American Football. My sporting endeavors tended mostly to the classic sports like discus and Greco-roman wresting.

It was very informative, but I was hoping to read more about some of the great figures in Football history. Lyle Alzado, Al Davis and Marv Levy.

if you know NOTHING about football from lack of interest or comprehesion, and the love-of-your-life knows EVERYTHING about football from the time he could speak...this book is a great help. you come away from this book knowing more than a little SOMETHING, and it becomes an excellent referrence guide. don't let your love see it until you are done...this is such a great read...you may not get it back for a while if you allow it to leave your hands. there's no boring, classroom type format-just clear fun info.

Been a Denver Broncos football fan for 25 years but had never really learned or played the game. Learned a lot from watching the games and figured out a lot of the game by myself. But this book did a terrific job of filling in the gaps in my (limited) knowledge and explained just about all the terms I heard announcers use that aren't really explained. For example, I really didn't have a clue what the "West Coast Offense" was until I read this book. The short historical section, although necessarily incomplete, was fascinating.

With my new knowledge, I can't wait for the season to start. If you "kind of know" football, but want a deeper understanding, then read this book!

Joe Theismann a former Q.B for Notre Dame and Washington Redskins and now a espn commentator knows everything about football. He uses his skills in football and writes about it. He talks about everything from what a touchdown is to five parts of coverage. This book is exellent for idiots all the way to heisman.

This a great book for every one from begginer to heisman. Joe Theismann a former Q.B for Notre Dame and the Washington Redskins and now an e.s.p.n. commentator knows everthing about football. He explains everything from what is a touchdown to five parts of coverage.

This book had a lot of good ideas which my staff tried to implement last season. Worth reading.

A word of warning: This is not the best place to start for beginning coaches looking to plan and organize an offense. A youth football coach just starting out should probably look to other sources of information, notably John T. Reed and other youth football coaching guide authors.

On the other hand, anyone coaching high school or higher levels MUST have this book. This is how to build an offense from the ground floor up, written by someone at the top of the game's very highest level.

Coach Billick shows you how to determine how much offense (i.e., how many plays and of what type) you will need to achieve offensive excellence during a football season. Then he "deconstructs" that season, taking it apart level by level until you can see how much offense you will need PER QUARTER.

Billick provides a masterly explanation of "situational" coaching. He shows how to take the plays you have determined are necessary, and practice them against the exact situations and defenses that you will actually need them for in games.

You end up with a "3rd and short" offense, a "coming-out zone" offense -- in short, with the entire contents of the "call sheet" you will use during a game, all constructed in a precise and logical manner. This will save you from the greatest sin a coach can commit during your precious few hours of practice -- wasting time.

Again, this isn't for everyone, and probably not for most beginners, but it is utterly essential. Highest recommendation.

Coach Billick's book does not tell you what the best offense is. He shows you how to best implement your offensive philosophy so you can practice what you are going to use in a game. His percentage charts are very valuble, explaining everything from the importance of positive yardage on first down to the need to create explosive plays. Great for offensive coordinators and helpful for those that coach defense.